HIRAM, Ohio - November 11, 2025 – It was an eventful evening for Hiram on Tuesday evening, as the team started slow but found its form in a four-set victory over Saint Vincent (23-25, 25-16,25-22 and 25-21) to secure a spot in the semifinals of the PAC Tournament. The team is officially two wins away from the title, with Westminster marking the next matchup on Thursday. Hiram also has extended its winning streak to 13 games, which is also two shy of tying the program record originally set in 2007.

First-year Sofia Smotek was a consistent source of offense, tallying 21 kills while also adding 18 digs. Junior Maggie Riley set new career-highs with 21 kills and 25 digs, while senior setter Kelly Hoffman tied a career-high with 51 assists. 

Smotek started strong, contributing six kills in the first set alone and helping her team to a lead as large as 7 points (10-3) in the early stages. St. Vincent roared back though, as the Bearcats scored 11 of the next 12 points and eventually claimed a 1-0 lead in the match thanks to a 25-23 victory in the first set.

Some new faces on the court proved to be the difference in turning things around, as junior Morgan Tomblin stepped up in a big way, contributing 13 kills to the board, which neared her career-high (14 kills vs Muskingum last season). Hiram won 8 of the first 9 points to take control of set two before rallying back from a 4-point deficit to win set three and take control of the match. In the fourth set, the Terriers tallied 18 kills -- their same total from the third set -- to maintain control and seal the come-from-behind victory.

The victory marks Hiram's first in the playoffs since 2023, when the team beat Oberlin in the first round of the NCAC Tournament. The win also gives the Terriers their first semifinal berth in a conference tournament since 2022, when the team made the NCAC semifinals following a pair of wins over Oberlin and DePauw.

Hiram returns back to action at home on Thursday for that all-important PAC semifinals matchup against the Westminster College Titans; start time is slated for 7 p.m.